News & Events

News

Pro-Green AUB Faculty Recognized Among the World's Top 2% of Scholars in Their Field| 12/11/2020

A recent study produced a composite citation-ba​sed indicator which lists 32 c​urrent AUB faculty, and seven former ones, among the world’s top 2 percent of scholars in their respective fields. This includes 2 of Pro-Green’s AUB faculty, program director Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar and Dr. Kamel Abou Ghali. The study was conducted by a group of experts led by Professor John P.A. Ioannides at Stanford University, published in 2019 in the journal PLOS Biology, and updated in October 2020.

The publicly available database lists 100,000 top scientists, classified into 22 scientific fields and 176 subfields. Using multiple citation-based indicators, the list provides standardized information on citations, h-index, coauthorship-adjusted hm-index, citations to peers in different authorship positions, and a composite indicator. The study runs its composite indicator formula against the entire Scopus database from 1996 to 2019. The listing was updated in 2020 to include the top 2 percent of scholars worldwide, listing 159,683 authors.

The majority of AUB’s faculty who were listed among the world’s top scholars carried out most of their research while affiliated with AUB. Twenty-three faculty members on the list have been awarded tenure since AUB restored it in 2016, and most remain highly productive scientifically. This database testifies to AUB’s advantage in its research-intensive faculty, many of whom are award-winning educators and renowned physicians. This study recognizes the scholastic impact of AUB and its faculty, and demonstrates that AUB is a major international research university.

Click here to read the full article 

First Pro-Green Program Ambassador | 15/3/2017

The Online Joint Professional Diploma in Green Technologies announces the appointment of its first Program Ambassadors, Mr. Shukri Habib, Buildings Specialization, AUB, and Mr. Mohammad Onsi, Buildings Specialization, LAU. The nomination of both appointees was approved unanimously by the Green Technologies Steering Committee that has representation from the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University, and The American University in Cairo.

Mr. Shukri and Mr. Onsi were among the first batch of students who joined the program, participated in the technical training trip to Italy and Sweden, graduated in excellent academic standing, and have been active members of the Pro-Green community.

Both ambassadors will  act as the program representatives  and help increase the community’s awareness of the program, address students’ inquiries and concerns, provide their recommendations regarding latest topics for courses in green technologies, and represent Pro-Green in local and international events related to green technology.

Click here for more on the ambassador program 

AUB Launches Pro-Green Diploma | 2/1/2016

This fall, AUB, along with the Lebanese American University (LAU) and the American University in Cairo (AUC), began offering an online degree for postgraduate students and mid-career professionals looking to break into the field of green technology. The program teaches students how to analyze the efficiency of solar systems using software tools, estimate the effect of building design on energy use, and  develop irrigation schedules, among other skills. The ultimate focus of the course depends on students’ chosen specializations: buildings, water, or energy.

Click here to read the full article (Page 19)

Pro-Green Moodle Case Study | 5/14/2015
ULCC, our Pro-Green Moodle provider and one of the main sponsors of the MoodleMoot UK has published a case study about the Pro-Green experience to be shown in the MoodleMoot UK 2015 conference in May.
 
Consortium Signed Agreement | 12/1/2014
The Joint Diploma agreement was signed by the three institutions (AUB, LAU and AUC) leadership on Dec. 1, 2014.
AUC Audit | 12/1/2014 (Monitoring Visit – National TEMPUS/Erasmus+ Office in Cairo, Egypt)
The main objective of the monitoring visit was to know the current project status versus the original proposal and the hurdles faced by the project (if any) through a presentation done by one of the project partners.
 
Pro-Green Annual Meeting | 9/1/2014
The Pro-Green Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, January 9, 2014, at the American University of Beirut, West Hall, Auditorium A.
 
Egypt Advisory Board Meeting | 12/1/2013
Minutes of Pro-Green Advisory Board Meeting held on Thursday, December 12, 2013.
 
Pro-Green Hosts First Advisory Board Meeting | 8/21/2013

The Lebanese Pro-Green Consortium team hosted its first advisory board meeting on Tuesday, August 20, at 6pm. The meeting took place in the American University of Beirut.

The meeting provided an opportunity for Pro-Green to present the current development of the diploma and receive critical feedback from Lebanese industry representatives.

For a full list of our board members, click here.

For the minutes of the meeting, click here.

Pro-Green Advisory Board | 8/15/2013

The Pro-Green Diploma has formed a board of advisers to help guide the development of the diploma. The primary role of the advisory board is to help align the diploma with current industry and market needs. The Pro-Green Advisory Board serves three critical functions:

  1. The advisory board will offer important feedback on the courses offered in the program, the structure of the program, the teaching pedagogy, etc.
  2. The advisory board will support and endorse the launch of the program.
  3. The advisory board will assist with promoting the diploma to potential students.

The first meeting of the advisory board is August 20. We thank all that have joined our board and offered their time in support of our program.

For a full list of our board members, click here.

Pro-Green Hosts its First Member Teleconference! | 4/28/2013

Pro-Green Hosts its First Member Teleconference on April 24, 2013. The meeting was held to discuss the Pro-Green Diploma Proposal. Discussions revolved around Admission Criteria, Course Modules, and Joint Degree opportunities with European Institutions.

Pro-Green Partners attending, included:

You can download the meeting minutes here.

New Members Join Our Consortium | 3/31/2013

New members from the American University of Beirut, Lebanese American University, and the American University in Cairo recently joined the Pro-Green Consortium.

The following members recently joined the Pro-Green Consortium:

  • Dr. Charbel Mansour
  • Dr. Ihab Ali
  • Dr. Issam Srour
  • Dr. Mahmoud Wazne
  • Dr. Mohamad Abiad
  • Dr. Wassim Habchi
  • Dr. Mahmoud Farag
  • Dr. Salah El-Haggar
  • Dr. Ahmed El-Sherif
  • Dr. Amr Serag El-Din
  • Dr. Emad Imam
  • Dr. Khaled Tarabieh

Press

Waste crisis inspires youth, offers few jobs | 10/08/2018

Recognizing the issue, Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar, director of the Munib and Angela Masri Institute of Energy and Natural Resources at the American University of Beirut, has sought to target professionals already working in the field.

The Pro-Green online diploma, a relatively new program at AUB, is certified in collaboration with LAU and the American University in Cairo.

Professors at the three institutions teach virtual courses in green technologies – largely for professionals who need a boost in their field but lack the time or money to matriculate in a master’s program.

 
اللبنانيّة نسرين غدّار أرست ديبلوماً في التقنيات الخضراء

تتزاحم في الذهن أسئلة يدعمها ضوء الشمس، وهو مصدر للطاقة تهتم به نسرين غدّار البروفسورة اللبنانيّة الكويتية المولد والنشأة. وفي سيرتها المنشورة على الموقع الشبكي للجامعة، يرد أنّها مختصة في علوم كثيرة مترابطة (خصوصاً الهندسة الميكانيكيّة) تشمل نوعاً غير تقليديّ من انتقال الطاقة، يسمّى «ريزونانت هيت» (Resonant Heat).

 
«الدبلوم المهني في «التكنولوجيا الخضراء

نسرين غدار، مديرة معهد الطاقة والموارد الطبيعية في الجامعة الأميركية، تشرح لـ «الأخبار» كيف أن البرنامج يستجيب لمطالب الطاقة العالمية المتزايدة التي تفرض ضغوطاً على موارد الأرض المحدودة. كذلك فهو يلبي، كما تقول، احتياجات المهنيين الذين يرغبون في المشاركة في تطوير وتنفيذ التكنولوجيات الخضراء في عملهم بما في ذلك المهندسون المعماريون والمهندسون، ومديرو المرافق والمقاولون من ذوي الخلفيات العلمية المختلفة

 
Sustainable building is one of the main aspects of real development| Al Afkar/ Issue # 1755- April 4, 2016 | 4/11/2016

The culture of green building in Lebanon is still in its primary stages, and the waste crisis in its peak. Disseminating green technologies and sustainable solutions through Pro-Green programs is crucial for a a better future.

 
PRO-GREEN Launch in the News | 1/20/2015

Click on the following links to read up on the media coverage:

Pro-Green Kickoff Meeting | 1/7/2013

Interviews

Interview about the Pro-Green Diploma on Arab Woman TV with Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar | 31/08/2018
Interview about the Pro-Green Diploma on NBN TV program 'Shi Jdeed' with Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar | 26/03/2018
Interview about the Pro-Green Diploma on Light FM with Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar | 15/11/2017
Interview about the Pro-Green Diploma on Sawt El Mada with Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar | 1/11/2017
Interview about the Pro-Green Diploma on Radio Liban with Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar | 7/8/2017
Interview about the Pro-Green Diploma on Tele Liban with Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar | 31/7/2017

Events

Pro-Green Networking Event 2018 | 25/10/2018

With the successful completion of almost four years of the Professional Online Diploma in Green Technologies and the participation of more than 160 students, the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at the American University of Beirut held a Networking Event at AUB on October 25, 2018 to provide consortium partners, advisory board members, staff, faculty and students an opportunity to network and discuss the new advancement and changes of the online program in green technologies.

Click here to view photos of the event.

Pro-Green Info Session at Lebanese University | 17/10/2018

The Pro-Green Program Director, Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar, held an info session at Lebanese University on October 17, 2018 to introduce the program to their engineering students and graduates.

Click here to view photos of the info session.

Building Dynamics Workshop-Pro-Green Sponsored Event | 22/2/2018

‘Building Dynamics Workshop – Exploring Architecture of Change’ was held at AUC on Thursday 22nd Feb and was co-sponsored by ProGreen Diploma Program in collaboration with the American Institute of Architect (AIA).

It comprised a lecture by Prof. Branko Kolarevic of the University of Calgary on ‘Exploring Architecture of Change’, and it was followed by a panel discussion that included high profile panelists from both academia and the industry.

It was well received by the audience (almost 250 attendees) from young engineers and architect to industry professionals as well as academia from various Egyptian universities both state and private. The lecture and the discussions have taken around 3 hours with full audience engagement.

The event management was a joint effort between ESS and the Architecture Department of the School of Science and Engineering at AUC as well as AIA.

Click here to view photos from the event.

Pro-Green Networking Event 2017 | 2/5/2017

With the successful completion of almost three years of the Professional Online Diploma in Green Technologies and the participation of more than 100 students, the American University of Beirut and the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture held a Networking Event at AUB on May 2, 2017 to provide consortium partners, advisory board members, staff, faculty and students an opportunity to network and discuss the new advancement and changes of the online program in green technologies.

Click here to view photos of the event.

Pro-Green General Assembly | 7/4/2016

The Pro-Green General Assembly was held on April 7 & 8, 2016, at the American University of Beirut. Meetings took place on both dates in B1 Auditorium, College Hall. A networking session was held on Friday, April 8, in B1 Auditorium, College Hall. The gathering was a chance for all partners, advisory board members, faculty, staff and students to share and discuss lessons learned and ways to move forward towards a sustainable future.

Click here to view the press release.

An Insight on Pro-Green: Professional Online Diploma | 26/7/2016

The Order of Engineers and Architects in collaboration with the Pro-Green diploma program held an info session titled “An Insight on Pro-Green: Professional Online Diploma on July 26, 2016 at the Order of Engineers and Architects at 5:30 p.m. Presentations were given by Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar, AUB, and Dr. Raymond Ghajar, LAU. The info session was attended by over 70 engineers, architects, and students.

10th World Congress on Engineering Education | 30/9/2015
This Congress was organized by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations – Committee of Education in Engineering (WFEO-CEIE) in collaboration with the Federation of Lebanese Engineers (FLE), the Federation of Arab Engineers (FAE), the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar, Pro-Green diploma coordinator and professor, gave a presentation on Online Professional Green Engineering Education and the Pro-Green diploma progress at the 10th World congress on Engineering Education on Friday September 30th, 2015 at the Lancaster Plaza Hotel – Beirut, Lebanon.
 
UNIMED GENERAL ASSEMBLY | 21/10/2015

The UNIMED General Assembly was held on October 21-22, 2015 in Rome, Italy. Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar presented the PRO-GREEN Diploma and the progress this diploma has made during the past year. More than 150 participants from 20 countries of the Mediterranean region gathered on this occasion to address key topics related to the international cooperation in the field of Higher Education.

Workshop on the Future of E-Learning in Lebanon | 28/5/2015
In the framework of the Erasmus + Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE) activities, and in collaboration with the Directorate Genereal Of Higher Education, a workshop has been organized on the future of E-Learning in Lebanon as  part of a series of events contributing to higher education reform at the national level. The Pro-Green Diploma team participated as well at the NDU Main Campus – Zouk Mosbeh.
 
EU-Lebanon Cooperation Days | 8/5/2015
The Pro-Green Diploma was part of the EU-Lebanon Cooperation Days Exhibition that took place in Pavillion Royal- Biel – Beirut on May 8, 2015.
 
Annual Erasmus+ Day 2014 | 25/11/2014
The National Erasmus+ Office held their first Erasmus+ day that took place in the Social Club of the Faulty of Engineering in Cairo University.
 
During the day, The National Erasmus+ Office presented the TEMPUS programme phase through showing success stories and achievements on one hand, and announced the new Erasmus+ programme phase on the other. In addition, the  event elaborated on the new opportunities and regulations for Higher Education project funding programmes offered under the umbrella of the Erasmus+ Programme (2014-2020).
 
EU-Lebanon Higher Education Cooperation Day | 15/11/2014
The EU-Lebanon Higher Education Cooperation Day and the first national information day under the new Erasmus+ programme took place on 18 November in the Auditorium Issam Fares, Notre Dame University – Louaize, Zouk Mosbeh.
 

The EU-Lebanon Higher Education Cooperation Day and the first national information day under the new Erasmus+ programme took place on 18 November in the Auditorium Issam Fares, Notre Dame University – Louaize, Zouk Mosbeh. This event was held under the auspices of H.E. Minister of Education and Higher Education Mr Elias Bou Saab and H.E. Head of EU Delegation to Lebanon Mrs Angelina Eichhorst.

This event was a good opportunity for decision makers, academics and higher education stakeholders to learn about the international dimension Actions of Erasmus+, in addition to other EU programmes in the field of higher education and research. It will also be an occasion to network with representatives from other partner countries.

 
Staff Training in Torino, Italyu | 9/6/2014
Activities included research lab visits, e-learning facilities, as well as presentations and lectures. From June 9 to 13, 2014.
 

The main goals of this training were the following:

  • Transfer and share know-how acquired in projects of RES heat & power generation, grid and interconnections, rural and village power, biogas, and engage participants in an active role to propose appropriate solutions checking their validity in the industrial context of Lebanon and Egypt.
  • Involve stakeholders – energy companies, institutions, research agency, investors – to share expertise for common projects and future investments.
  • Create a network that leads to specific market information, to establish links for possible funding from the international financial institutions.

Click here to view the trip’s agenda 

Building and Water Training at Lund University, Sweden | 2/6/2014
Activities included department visits and presentations. From June 2 to 5, 2014.
 

The agenda constituted several visits such as the following:

  • June 2 – A visit to the Building Physics department, at the Technical Faculty in Lund University.
  • June 3 – A visit to the Building related testing labs of the department of The Built Environment in SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, in Borås.
  • June 4 – A study visit to new area with passive houses in Vallda Heberg, Eksta Bostads AB, Kungsbacka and to Visit to buildings sites in Malmö (Western Harbour).
  • June 5 – A Presentation by the Department of Water Resources Engineering at the Technical Faculty in Lund University and Information regarding education and research in Hydrology, Water Resources, Coastal Hydraulics, Hydrometeorology, Water Quality, etc.

Technical Training Trips

Pro-Green and Energy Studies Students' Technical Training Trip to Jordan | 2/3/2019 - 6/3/2019

A group of 10 students from the Pro-Green program and AUB Energy Studies program under the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA), in addition to four AUB faculty and staff members, participated in a five-day technical training trip to Jordan, one of the countries in the Middle East with a large potential for generating power from renewable energy. The trip, which provided students the opportunity to view development and energy sites first hand, was co-organized by the Munib and Angela Masri Institute of Energy and Natural Resources​, the Green Technologies Program, and the Energy Studies Program at AUB, along with the University of Jordan. It included site visits to Al Zaytoonah University and other renewable energy sites. This was the third Pro-Green technical training trip to take place. The first was to Sweden and Italy in February 2016, and the second to the UAE in 2018.

Below are testimonials from a student and two AUB faculty of the Pro-Green program:

“The Pro-Green technical trip provided me with insight into actual applications in the green industry.  I was introduced to some of the newest technologies by experts in the field.“ (Christelle Kheir, Pro-Green)

“An eye opening and mind enriching 5-day technical trip to Jordan, sponsored by the ProGreen Diploma in collaboration with AUB, LAU and AUC, was offered to a group of 10 students along with 3 faculty members. The trip which took place on the 2nd of March, included a visit to the Lab facility at Al-Zaytoonah University, introducing a wide range of renewable energy experiments. It also included visits to two solar farms, two wind farms and a PV panel manufacturer across different locations in Jordan. Such an event for sure has a positive impact on improving the working experience of the students by merging between the theoretical concepts and real life projects. We encourage the re-occurrence of such events in view of the added benefits it offers our students.” (Dr. Dima Fares El-Khalil, AUB faculty)

“The Pro-Green technical training trips have become a permanent feature of the student’s learning experience in energy related programs given the positive feedback from students and faculty. Last year’s trip to the UAE’s sustainable cities and this year’s trip targeted similar innovative projects in Jordan that offered the students a hands-on approach.” (Dr. Nesreen Ghaddar, AUB faculty and Director of Pro-Green)

Click here to read the AUB official press release.
Click here to read the Ma’an Development Area official press release.
Click here to read the Al Zaytoonah University official press release.
Click here to view photos from the trip.

Pro-Green and Energy Studies Students' Technical Training Trip to the UAE | 3/3/201/ - 7/3/2018

The Munib and Angela Masri Institute of Energy and Natural Resources at AUB organized the second technical training trip, this time to renewable sustainable cities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as to an international exhibition for the power industry in Dubai. Over five days, a group of 15 students from the Pro-Green online joint professional diploma program in green technologies and energy studies programs at the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA) were able to examine sustainable development efforts in this part of the region, in the company of three faculty members from MSFEA and two Pro-Green program ambassadors.

Below are testimonials from the students:

“This was an inspirational, memorable trip that puts the diploma’s learning platform in the practical context while allowing for a bonding between great colleagues and a sharing of experiences through its well-organized sessions.” (Adiba Al Masri, Pro-Green)

“The technical training trip was a great educational and eye-opening experience for three main reasons: first, I got the chance to witness first-hand the operation of renewable energy plants that I only knew about in theory. Secondly, being able to travel to a nice area with a group of interesting people from different backgrounds is by itself a refreshing boost. Third, we got the chance to meet experts in the field and have interesting discussions with them.” (Ahmad Diab, Energy Studies)

 
 
 
Pro-Green Students' Technical Training Trip to Italy and Sweden | 7/2/2016 - 22/2/2016

A group of 12 Pro-Green students took part in a 14-day technical training trip to Italy and Sweden from February 7-22, 2016. The training involved trips to several PV plants, labs, and wind farms across several locations in Italy, and the cities of Malmo and Lund in Sweden. The trip according to their feedback was an enriching experience in both knowledge and companionship.

Below are testimonials from our students:

“It was nice meeting all of you. While on my way back to Jeddah, I am carrying good memories arising from the diversity of personalities among the group. I wish you all good luck in achieving your goals. Till the next gathering!” (Bernard Lutfi)
 
“…actually every member of the group gave a certain flavor to the gathering. All the best for all of us and let’s hope we will have another technical trip soon!” (Mohammad Onsi)
 
“It was really a wonderful, unforgettable, and historic trip. I believe what was built among us will last for years to come…” (Chukri Habib)
 

“An epic trip with a great company. Everyone of us made it more fruitful…” (Joey Aoun)

Click here to view photos from the trip.